Machine for finishing stereotype printing-plates.



NG PLATES.

W. WOOD.

MACHINE FOR FINISHING STEREOTVPE PHINTI APPLICATION FILED MIGl II nu: [mums persas ca., Fumo-umn., uusmuc mu. n a

H. A. W. WOOD.

MACHINE FOR FINISHING STEREOTYPE PRINTING PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG- II, I9I0.

Patented Dec. 5, T916.

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H. A. W. WOOD.

MACHINE FOR FINISHING STEREOTYPE PRINTING PLATES. APPLlcAloN FILED AUG. II. 1910.

Il .yv Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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HENEY A. WIsE WOOD, OE NEW YORK, N. Y., AssIGNOE, BY NEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, To

WOOD NEWSPAPER MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORA- TIoN'oE VIRGINIA.

MACHINE FOR FINISI-IING STEREOTYPE PRINTING-PLATES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known thatI, HENRY AfWIsE WOOD, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at New York, in the county of New `York and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Machine for Finishing Stereotype Printing-Plates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a machine for trimming and finishingstereotype printing plates. It is particularly adapted for operation on flat plates. v l Y i Y The principal objects of the invention are to provide simple and efficient means for trimming the four edges of the plates and shaving the backs, and means whereby the plates can be removed directly from a plate supporting device, or otherwise supplied to the machine and moved along the machine past the trimming and shaving devices without changing their direction of motion so that the width of the machine can be reduced to a minimum, to provide simple means for turning the plates after they have been trimmed on two opposite edges so that they can be trimmed on the other two edges by saws or trimming knives, substantially in alinement with those used for trimming the first two edges; to provide simple and efflcient, means for drawing the plates out of the supporting device through the first trimming cutters and depositing them on the turning table; and simple means for releasing the plates therefrom so that they can be delivered from the turning table by another carrier.-

The invention also involves improvements in the arrangements of the shaving device and in the relative arrangement of the shaving device, trimming knives or saws, and carriers, asfwell as in other details of construction as will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation partially in section along the side of the frame of a machine for finishing flat stereotype plates constructed lin accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan thereof. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line A- A of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a view, illustrating a modification of the shaving mechanism.

The invention is shown as used in connecthe machine.

tion with plate supports 10-11, one of which is movable toward and from the other and which may constitute the cope and drag of a casting boX, and it is preferred to take the stereotype plate from these supports when the movable one is retracted and deliver it to the finishing mechanism. The movablel support can be operated in any desired way but it is shown herein as being reciprocated from a cam shaft 12 by link and lever connections 13, cam 14 and cam roller 15. On the shaft 12 also is a cam 16 which operates a cam roller 17 on a spring-pressed lever 18. This lever is provided with a curved segment or rack 19 meshing with a pinion 20 which oscillates a gear 21 meshing with a rack 22. This rack is located on a slide 23 which is movable on av guide 24. It will be obvious that the rotationl of the cam 16 will cause the gear segment 19 to oscillate and the slide 23 to reciprocate. Mounted on this slide 23 are arms 25 projecting toward the plate supports. On each of these arms is pivotally mounted a finger 26 having a hook 27 on the end and a spring 28 for holding the finger up. Each finger is provided with a forward projection 29, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter. It will be obvious that the reciprocation of the slide 23 will move the fingers in and outJ between the plate supports to pull the plate out, the plate being cast with notches to receive the hooks 27.

. As the fingers pull the plate from the supports 10 and 11 over two supporting bars `30 the plate is trimmed on its opposite edges by a pair of trimming saws or knives 31. These are located on a shaft 32 having a pulley 33 thereon whichl is operated from the main shaft 12 in any desired way, preferably so as constantly'to rotate. When the fingers pull the plate across the supporting bars 30 they deposit it on a table 34. They move forward until the plate comes up against stops 35 on this table. At that time another operation takes place, due to the motion of a cam 36 on the shaft 12. This cam operates a roller 37 on a rod 38 which is connected by links and levers or the like with a slide 39. This slide is guided in vertical guide ways 40 fixed to the frame of Carried on ways 49 on the slide 39 is a block 41 supporting a rod 42 flatter to move ,forward with the slide 23.

TWhenthe slide 23 moves back, the springs Y 43 pull the block ,'41 back until the rodY is lsiibstantially Vin theceiiter of the slide 39.

Thefguides 4() haveprojections 44 for limiting the rearward motion or"y the block and leaving it in position to'operate the fingers on the next .lhile'the slide 23 and the connectedparts are moving back through this idle motion another operation takes place as follows:-

A eam'50 on thejshat't 12'operates a cam roller 51' on a sliding rod'52. This rod is .1 with a pinion 64'.

' of VtheV plate.

provided with a rack 53 which slides in guides 54 on the frame. This rack meshes with agear or segment 55 connected with the table 34. Consequently, as the rack reciprocates, the tableturns. The parts are :so designed as to cause the table to turn at this time through a quarter revolution so as to bring one of the trimmed edges to the front, with respect to the direction ot travel ott the plate and the other to the rear. The tabl'ef3`4 is swiveled in Va stand 56 to permit this turning operation, and it is turned positivelyy in both directions by the mevement, of the rack. 'Itbrings a plate around to the position just specified and after the plate is removed, the table returns to its normal position ready to receive another plate. It will be understood, of course, that when the table moves around a quarter turn, it brings the stops 35 out ofY the way so that they'lmerely act as side guides for one edge At this time a tinger 59 is operated by a cam on the shaft 12 which engages a cam roll G1 on a bell-crank lever 62 'which 'carries a segment (i3 imeshing This pinion rotates a gear 65 which reciprocates a rack V66 fixed to a slide 67. This finger will not be described herein indetail, as it is substantially the same as the corresponding finger shown land describedl in my prior Patent No. 1,164,607, filed January 12, 1910, and patented December 14, 1915, and in a divisional application, Seria-l No. 43,935, tiled September 4, 1915. This fingenhowever, takes the plate from the table 34'across a slotted sup, port 63 and delivers it to a shaver table G9, with its front side against a stop 70. While on thistable ythe plate can be shaved in any desired way. 1n the first three figures the shaving is shown as accomplished by means 'of a transversely reciprocating shaver 71.

rearward motion thereof.V

This is reciprocated in the present case through shafts 72 and 73, the latter ofi' which has a crank 74 provided with a roll 7 5 working in a track 7 G on a sliding head 77, carrying the shaver 71.

The head 77 carries sets of brackets 30 and 31 on the first of which is journaled a shaft 32 carrying the rotary shaver 71 and on the other of which is journalcd an idler 34. The distance between the shaft 32 and idler 34 is greater than the traverse ot the slide or head 77. Mounted in a stationary position on the trame is a bracket 35 carrying idlers 3G. The shaft 32 is driven from a driving pulley 39 by a belt 37 passing over the idlers and over a pulley 33 on the shaft 32. It will be obvious that as the head 77 reeiprocates, the belt will be paid out on one side of the idlers 3G as much as it is drawn on the qther so that the rotary shaver will be operated in all positions ot the head 77. 1t will be obvious that with this construction the shaver will travel back and forth rotating all the time and it is so timed as to shave the back of the plate while resting on .i

this table. After this, another finger which moves with the slide G7 engages the plate in a manuel' described in my abovr` mentioned patent and application. This delivers the plate first on a support 91 and then in the same direction on any desired kind of a conveyer, a simple endless belt construction 92 being illustrated herein. lVhile moving along the support 91 the plate preferably is trimmed on two edges by trimming knives or saws 93. These arr` substantially in line with the first trimming saws 31 and are constantly operated in thi` same way; when the plates are cast with sufiicient accuracy either or both sets of' saws can be omitted, or the machine can be used only for trimming, the shaver being omitted.

In Fig. 4 a simple form of shaver is shown consisting merely of a blade 99 mounted on the slide 77.

The sequence of operations is as follows: After the cast plate is madeor located in the plate supports 10 and 11, the cam 14 operates the link 13 and draws the support 11 down away from the plate leaving it supported by the member 10, then the cam 1t operates the lever 13 and the slide 23 which projects the fingers 27 into the position "shown in Fig. 1. The continued operation of this cam then draws the slide back together with the fingers 27 which have engaged the plate and which draw the plate horizontally on the supporting bars. lts

.edges are trimmed by the saws 31 and it is then deposited by a continuous motion ot the hooks 27 on the table 34 and is brought up against the fixed stop 35 thereof. Just at this time the projections 29 come over the block 41 and that is raised by the operaiwi tion of the cam 36, link 38, and slide 39. The effect of this is to lower the hooks 27 out of engagement with the plate and release the plate from these hooks. As the arms 25 continue to move in the same direction the block 4l and shaft 42 move with them so as to allow the hooks absolutely to clear the plate. llhen the cam operates the rack 53 and turns the table a quarter way around. The cam then comes into operation to move the finger 59 into a position to engage the plate and draw it farther along in the same direction, but of course with another edge forward. This carries the plate across the supports 68 to the shaver table 69 against the stop 70. rl`he shaver 71 then operates transversely to shave the plate. Then the finger 90 engages the plate and delivers it on its support 91 and from that on a c0nveyer 92. While moving along the support 9i it is preferably trimmed by the trimming knives or saws 93. lt will be noted that although the plate turns around 90O during these operations the motion of the plate is continuously in a straight line from the supports l0 and 1l to the conveyer 92.

It will be noted that the table 34 turns back to its receiving position when the ngers are back at the end of the stroke and that while a plate is being delivered to the table 34 the plate preceding it is being shaved so that the machine will operate on a plurality of plates at the same time.

It will be seen that with this construction the plate can be carried along in substantially a straight path and trimmed on all four edges and shaved on the back Without diverting it from its course. In this way, a narrow machine can be used and yet the length of the same is not proportionately increased. Itis to be observed, also, that very simple and effective mechanism is shown for accomplishing the several results Aspecified and that the order of the differfas ent steps is such that the plates can be effectively operated upon and a plate can be delivered into one end of the machine before the preceding plate has been discharged from the other.

l/Vhile l have illustrated and described two preferred embodiments of the invention, l am aware that many modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, l do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown and described, but

What l do claim is l. ln a machine of the character described, the combination with means for moving stereotype printing plates, of two sets of trimming cutters arranged substantially in alinement with each other and with the moving means, and means for feeding the plates substantially in a straight line from the moving means to the two sets of trimming cutters and presenting different edges of the plates to the two sets of cutters.

2. ln a machine of the character described, the combination, of two sets of trimming cutters arranged substantially in alinement with each other and with a plate support, a shaving device between the two sets of trimming cutters7 and means for feeding the plates substantially in a straight line to the two sets of trimming cutters.

3. in a machine of the character described, the combination with a plate support, of trimming device, a shaving device arranged between the plate support and the trimming device, and means for feeding plates in substantially a straight line, through the shaving device to the trimming device.

4. ln a machine of the character described, the combination of means for feeding cast plates substantially in a straight line, means for trimming' two edges of the plates, and means for thereafter trimming the other two edges while they travel along.

ln a machine of the character described, the combination of means for moving cast plates, means for trimming two opposite edges of the plates, means for giving each plate substantially a quarter turn, and means for thereafter trimming the other two edges.

6. ln a machine of the character deil scribed, the combination of means for taking stereotype printing plates and conveying them along substantially in a straight line, means for giving each plate substantially a quarter turn, and means for persame general direction, means for trinnning l the plates, means for turning the plates, nishing means located between the support and the turning means, and finishing means located on the opposite side of the turning means, and in alinement with the other finishing means and the plate support.

9. ln a machine of the character described, the combination of means for removing the plates from a plate support and for conveyin g them along a path in the same VVing stereotype printing plates, trimming general direction, means for turning the turning means, and Vmeans for moving the finishing device transversely to the path of travel of the plates.

' 11. The combination of a carrier for movsaws arranged in position to trim the edges ofthe plates asthey are moved along by said carrier,means'for turning each plate substantially a quarter after it passes said trimming saws, and additional trimming saws arranged substantially Vin alinement with the 'first ones for trimming the other edgesof the plate after it has been turned.

V12. In a machine ofthe character described, the combination of aV carrier for moving YaY stereotype printing plate along a path, a finishing device in position Yto operate on the plate while being moved by the carrier, a table in position for receiving the plate from the carrier, and means for turning the table substantially a quarter revolution. f

13. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a carrier for moving a stereotype printing plate along a path, Va finishing device in position to operate on the plate while being moved by the'carrier, a table in position for receiving the plate from the carrier, means for turning the plate, and a second carrier for advancing the plate in the same direction from the table.

14. In a stereotype plate finishing machine, the Ycombination of a carrier for the plate, means for moving the carrier, means for trimming two edges ofeach plate dur- Iing the motion thereof, a table for receiving the plate from the carrier, means for releasing the carrier from the plate when the plate rests von the table,'means for giving the table substantially a quarter turn, means for thereafter Vmoving the plate from the table in the same general direction, and means for trimming the other two edges of the plate after it is removed from the table. i Y

15. In a stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a carrier for the plates, means for moving the carrier, means for trimming two edges of each plate during the motion thereof, a table for receiving the plate from'the carrier, means for releasing the carrier from the plate when the plate rests on the table, means for giving the table substantially a quarter turn, and means for thereafter finishing the baclr of the plate.

1G. In a stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a carrier for the plate, means for moving the carrier longitudinally, means for releasing the carrier from the plate, means for thereafter giving the plate substantially a quarter turn, and a second carrier for carrying the plate forward in the direction in which it was moved by the first carrier.

17. In a stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a carrier for a plate, means for reciprocating said carrier, means for releasing the carrier from the plate near one end of its stroke, and a second reciprocating carrier movable independently of the first carrier for moving the plate forward in the same direction after it is released from the first carrier.

Y 18. In a stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of three supports for a flat plate, reciprocatory means for moving the plate on the first support, reciprocatory means for moving the plate from thc first support to the second in the same direction and for moving it on the third support, and means for giving the first support substantially a quarter turn while the plate Vis on 1t.

19. In a stereotype printing plate finish- -ing machine, the combination of three supports for printing plates arranged in alinement, means for moving a plate successively from the first support to the second and from the second to the third, and means for giving one of said supports substantially a quarter turn while the plate is on it.

20. In a stereotype printing plate finishing machine, the combination of three supports for cast plates arranged in alinement. means for moving a pla-te successively from the first support to the second and from the second to the third, means for giving one of said supports substantially a quarter turn while the plate is on it, means for finishing two edges of the plate before it is given its quarter turn, and means for finishing the other two edges after it is given the quarter turn.

21. In a machine for finishing stereotype printing plates, the combination of a reciprocatory member, a carrier pivotally mounted thereon and having a hook for enga-ging 22. In a machine for finishing stereotype printing plates, the combination of a reciprocatory member, a carrier pivotally mounted thereon and having a hook for engaging a plate, a support on which said carrier is adapted to carry the plate, and vertically reciprocating means for swinging the hook to release the same from the plate when the plate is on the support.

23. In a machine for finishing stereotype printing plates, the combination of a reciprocatory member, arms mounted thereon, hooks pivoted on said arms and adapted to engage a printing plate, springs for holding the hooks up in position to carry the printing plate as the member reciprocates, said hooks having a projection, and means for moving said projection to'lower said hooks and disengage them from the plate.

24. In a machine for finishing stereotype printing plates, the combination of a reciprocatory member, hooks carried thereby and adapted to engage a printing plate, means for holding the hoolrs up in position to carry the printing plate as the member 'reciprocates, said hooks having a projection, means for raising said projection before the member moves to the limit of its stroke, whereby said hooks will be lowered and disengaged from the plate, and a table for receiving the plate.

25. In a machine for finishing stereotype printing plates, the combination of a reciprocatory member, hooks carried thereby and adapted to engage a printing plate, means for holding the hooks up in position to carry the printing plate as the member reciprocates, said hooks having a projection, stationary guides, a vertically reciprocable member, means for raising the reciprocatory member to engage and lift said projection.

26. In a machine for finishing stereotype printing plates, the combination of a reciprocatory member, hooks carried thereby and adapted to engage a printing plate, means for normally holding the hooks up in position to engage the printing plate, said hooks having a projection, a vertically reciprocatory member, a rod carried thereby for moving said projection and resilient means for moving the rod toward said hooks.

27. In a machine for finishing stereotype printing plates, the combination with a horizontally reciprocable plate carrier, having a swinging member for engaging the plates, of a vertically reciprocable member, a rod resting on the last named member and movable horizontally therealong, and adapted to engage the swinging member to operate it, and yielding means for normally drawing the rod horizontally toward the swinging member.

28. In a machine for finishing stereotype printing plates, the combination with a reciprocable plate carrier, means movable transversely to the direction of motion thereof for disengaging it from a plate, and yielding means for moving said transversely movable means along with the plate carrier during a part of its stroke.

29. In a stereotype printing plate finishing machine, the combination of an oscillatable table for supporting a printing plate, a shaver table, a support between said tables, means for oscillating the first named table, and means for thereafter moving a plate therefrom, over the support, to the shaver table.

30. In a stereotype printing plate finishing machine, the combination of an oscillatable table for supporting a printing plate, a shaver table, means for oscillating the rst named table, means for thereafter moving a plate therefrom to the shaver table, and ashaver reciprocable over the shaver table transversely to the direction of motion of the plate.

3l. In a stereotype printing plate finishing machine, the combination of a shaver table, means for moving a plate thereon, a slide reciprocable over said table transversely to the direction of motion of the plate, and a shaver mounted on the slide.

32. In a stereotype printing plate finishing machine, the combination of a shaver table, means for moving a plate thereon, a slide reciprocable over said table transversely to the direction of motion of the plate, a rotary shaver on the slide and means for rotating the shaver while the slide travels.

33. In a stereotype printing plate finishing machine the combination of a shaver table, means for moving a plate thereon, a slide reciprocable over said table transversely to the direction of motion of the plate, a shaft journaled on the slide, a rotary shaver and a pulley on said shaft, an idler movable with the slide and at a distance from the shaft greater than the eX- tent of travel of the slide, two idlers turning on stationary axes between the first named idler and the pulley, and a belt over said pulley and idlers.

34E. In a machine of the character described, the combination with means for supporting stereotype printing plates, of two sets of cutters, and means for feeding the plates substantially in a straight line from the supporting means to the two sets of Y 6 Y Y l' Y Y Y1,207,675

ter turn, and means fer thereafter trimming.

Y the other tWo edges. Y v v 37. In a machineY of the Character cle-r Vscriloel,Y theY Combination of a support: for

stereotype printing plates7 Vof metns for taking the plates from thesupport and conveying them along 1 substantially ina` l vstraight line,"means for giving each plate substantially a qua-rter turn, and means for performing a finishing operation on the.

plate'both before ancl'after it receives its qua-rter turn.V

88. 1n a machine'oil the character eleseribel, the combination ofmeans for con- HENRY A. VISE VOOD.

lVitnesses F. W. HOWLAND, ELIZABETH CALDBECK.

Gopies 'of this'patnt may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents` Washington', D. C. 

